NORWALK, Conn. — Hundreds of students from Brien McMahon High School and the Center for Global Studies walked across the field at Jack Casagrande Field on Wednesday evening to collect their diplomas and officially join the Class of 2026.

The ceremony, held June 17, opened with a processional performed by the Brien McMahon Orchestra and a posting of colors by the school’s NJROTC unit. Class Vice President Derek Zaid Perdomo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Barbara Smyth, who taught in Norwalk public schools before entering public office, offered remarks to the graduates. She told them not to compare their path to anyone else’s, whether they were heading to college, the military, a trade program, or the workforce.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alexandra Estrella, who is completing six years leading Norwalk Public Schools, told graduates that the diversity they experienced at Brien McMahon was not a barrier but a strength. She reminded them that they belong in every room their ambitions take them.

Board of Education Representative Sheri McCready-Pritchett spoke about the challenges this generation has faced and encouraged graduates to keep moving forward even when progress feels slow.

“Progress has never depended on certainty,” McCready-Pritchett said. “It is always dependent on people willing to move forward anyway.”

Brien McMahon High School class president Anthony Luna, who described himself as a proud son of Mexican and Dominican families, delivered an energetic address that drew cheers from the crowd. He asked his classmates to protect their “garden,” a metaphor he used for their personal world and the relationships they have built.

“No matter how many times they will, your garden will bloom,” Luna said, before earning laughs by quoting Taylor Swift: “The scary news is you’re on your own now. The exciting news is you’re on your own now.”

Distinguished Student Speaker Gabriella Demasi spoke about the bittersweet nature of goodbye and encouraged her classmates to see every ending as an opportunity to make room for something new.

Principal Barbara Wood closed the formal remarks with a celebration of the class’s achievements. She told the crowd that among the graduating seniors, 19 were finishing summa cum laude, 30 magna cum laude, and 47 cum laude.

Wood reminded graduates that the diploma they received is a key, but one that only works if they have the courage to turn it.

“Go into the world and continue to inquire, keep thinking critically, protect your independence of mind, and use your voice to communicate with empathy, clarity, and strength,” Wood said.

Parents and families can view and download photos from the ceremony at the link below.

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These photos are unedited. What you see is what was captured that evening. Feel free to crop, brighten, darken, or edit them to your liking.

NancyOnNorwalk congratulates the Brien McMahon High School and Center for Global Studies Class of 2026.

Brien McMahon High School Class of 2026:

Adriana Lisbeth Abac Ixcoy, Chloe Hudson Ableman, Razel Kimberly Ramos Abubo, Luis Emilio Acosta Chinchilla, Tomas Agudelo Zapata, John Akbar, Albani Alcantara, Perla Julissa Alcantara, Christopher David Alcoser, Hala Almasri, Cristopher Alexander Alvarez Chacon, Aiden Jianna Andre, Juan Anguiano-Barba, Marventz Antoine, Vincent James Aquila, Andres Eli Arenas Rangel, Laisha Mia Argueta, Sydney Arias, Larri Steven Arias Bueso, Angel Ivan Armas Leiba, Edgar Arrollo Flores, Zoey Alyssa Audige, Anthony Alan Austin, Owen Daniel Aviles Solis, Kalyssa Marisol Aviles, Judell Adriano Baez, Jordan Xavier Bagnara, Maya Balamurugan, Alejandra Ivett Balderrama, Angela Bari, Ethan Jeremy Barker, Maryorie Ashley Janeth Barrios Garcia, Alexis Elise Bausch, Oscar Bautista, Randy Bautista, Alondra Valentina Beato Cuello, Makayla Eleanor Bechervaise, Cayden James Benitez, Nicholas Patryk Bieniek, Ariannah Maria Blackwell, Marlie Jade Blanding, Isabela Victoria Bolanos, Xavier Isaiah Bonilla, Luke Joseph Boyle, Kieran Patrick Brady, Khari Kanai Broodie, Kristina Marie Buono, Madison Lucille Burns, Autumn Burroughs, Jahvon Burton, Leeah Bustamante-Maldonado, Matthew Buquid Cabangbang, Irdali Anahi Cajbon Ojom, Maximiliano Cajbon-Grave, Elena Calderon, Cindy Yojana Camo Reyes, Diego Campos Reyes, Chloe Sasha Candito, Santiago Alexander Carmona, Jaiden Christopher Caro, Gabriella Carranza, Cesar Antonio Castanaza Diaz, Andres David Oliver Castillo Roa, Daniel Andres Catalan, Brennan Matthew Catalano, Isaiah Samuel Cayo, Maximiliano Ceja, Shawn Louis Chacon, Lucas Chamorro, George Esteban Chaparro, Daniela Chavez Baez, Angeline Yuriana Chavez, Diego Chirinos, Steve Anthony Chisholm, Kyllian Cineus Buno, Wendy Charles Civil, Alyssa Brooke Cocchia, James Okubo Cohen, Baxter Paulhenri Colbath, John Carlo Colonnello, Kaylie Colonnello, Kaitlin Leigh Conrad, Christie Constant, Jaqueline Mishell Contreras Morales, Keitlyn Zebediah Cordero, Roberto Corona, Yareli Stephanie Cortes Alatorre, Aaron Cruz, Mario Jose Cruz, William Cruz, Zoe Cruz, Gustavo Adolfo Damian Jacome, Adrien Danso, Abir Das, Ellie Anne Davies, Yanilka Rachel De Aza Fernandez, Melissa De La Rosa Silvas, Lusmary Del Cid, Jayde Jason Delgado Garcia, Emily Delgado, Jayden Tomas Delgado, Pilar Maria Delgado, David Delong, Gabriella Rose Demasi, Owen Scott Derene, Jose Alejandro Diaz, Maren Dylan Distasio, Natori Alexandria Dixon, Nazarii Dmyterko, Haanah Abigail Donaire Daza, Briana Dominquez, Vladimir Dorlus, Christopher Josue Dormes Mejia, Camila Yosmary Dormes, Bella Rose Dropkick, ClaireMarie Drugo, Loudenson Dumont, Emery Easton, Ariyana Envyie Edmond, Christelle Edward, Maryam Ejaz, Jordan Javier Elizondo, Simon Joshua Lloyd Elliott, Adam Eddie Ellis, Johanna Leilani Entzminger, Alejandro Escamilla, Arden Rals Estanislao, Ethan Estrada, Mariel Rose Estrin, Todd James Fabrizio, Leila Paree Fairchild, Caroline Cornelia Fallon, Chloe Jane Fallon, Grayson Maree Farnum, Jonas Leeland Fields, Olivia Danielle Fisher, Kenia Nicole Flores Gomez, Josue Ismael Flores Jara, Angel Alexis Flores Rosas, Edwin Daniel Flores Soto, Alan Joel Flores, Lorrie Fontaine, Michael James Fosina, Tatiana Elizabeth Foster, Jaden Franck, Sonia Frasisca, Lucia Daisy Fuglestad, Nataly Garcia Aguilar, Genesis Saray Garcia Aviles, Jessela Garcia Cardenas, John Joel Garcia, Juan Jose Garcia, Kimberly Garcia, Melvin Garcia, Osvaldo Garcia, Renata Garcia, Freddy Garduno, Alexander Conrad Geisler, Grace Catherine Genestra, Ryan Andrew Gilchrist, Valeria Joanic Gomar, Anderson Josue Alexis Gonzalez Castillo, Francisca Gonzalez, Rhyan Gorham, Sophia Granja, Christopher Daniel Grey, Mackenzie Patricia Grey, Gabriella Ioanna Guance, Jason Guevara, Olivia Marie Gulemi, Adamaris Nahomy Gutierrez Parajon, Yubleiska Gutierrez, Ana Lopez, Oscar Andres Guzman Lopez, Maryuri Michel Guzman Manzanares, Catherine Helena Hahn, Royalty Zhnyla Hall, Samantha Harrington, Zayra Henriquez, Fabiola Sarahi Hernandez Gamez, Manuela Alexandra Hernandez Ibarguen, Nikool Hernandez Ibarguen, Diana Paola Hernandez, Joel Alexander Hernandez, Jonathan Hernandez, Sarai Hernandez, Mia Gabrielle Hickman, Carlos Higareda, Roger Terrance Holder, Timothy Joseph Hopkins, Jonel Eduardo Huertas Castro, Peter Robert Hussey, Brandon Iglesias, Khorri Madison Jackson, Jaymee Jamison, Hernezto Valeryan Fabio Jean, Loudjeri Jean Charles Chery, Camille Jean-Pierre, Harry McBride Jimenez, Anne Davis Johnson, Berkeley David Johnson, Janaya Destiny Johnson, Jeremiah Elijah Gee Johnson, Jacob Barrington Jones, London Jones, Emanuel Juarez, Chloe Alexa Katz, Connor Logan Katz, Andrew Kalani-Life Keating, Noah James Kerins, Ayush Khan, Grace Joely Kimball, Charlotte Marie Krupa, Denijer Lainez, Jakub Jan Laskovsky, John Mcarthur Lawton, Farrell Nathaniel Lee, Holden C Mccaw LeGette, Javari Raynor Level, Andrew Miguel Licona, Ammy Fernanda Llaguarima Pogyo, Samuel Lopez Cardona, Aylin Eliana Lopez Diaz, Matthew Steven Lopez Lagos, Deisy Lopez Osorio, Ana Sophia Lopez, Hilary Rose Lopez, Victoria Lopez-Paez, Ann Sara Gabrielle Luma, Anthony Zaid Luna, Liam Aaron Luyanda, Jonah Alexis Maisonet Lozano, Justin Michael Maldonado, Paige Ryan Mangan, Sophia Nicolette Manousos, Israel Jose Maradiaga, Jennifer Lopes Marcal, Maximo Hunter Margnelli, Isabella Marinero, Kimberly Pamela Marroquin Silva, Camilo Martin, Kevin Leonel Martinez Monzon, Alejandro David Martinez, Jaelyn Martinez, Neshel Adoria Martinez, Siena Meadow Masone, Bradley Roger Massenat, Anhelina Mazur, Madeleine Kelly McGivney, Mackenzie Suzanne Lang McGonigle, Tylea Sharese McLean-Mann, Keilly Y Mejia, Nataly Mejia, Dauris Jose Mendoza Mendez, Melani Mendoza, Gabrielle Amoakoah Mensah, Angel Daniel Mercedes, JoMateo Mesa Rios, Christie Eriane Michel, Julio Molina Motino, Hazel Nazareth Molina, Oscar Armando Molina, William Molina, James Henry Molner, Steven Alexander Morales De la Rosa, Bryana Nayrubi Morales Mata, Alinson Morales, Randy Savier Moran, Vincent Max Morelli, Sasha Fernanda Morocho, James Benjamin Motley, Anay Mundra, Alison Jazmin Munive Garcia, Victor Eliecer Munoz Gonzalez, Thomas Jon Myers, Jaden Alexander Naulaguari Criollo, Maxim Nebelskyy, Logan Robert O’Brien, Gabriel Ochoa Lopez, Wilson Antonio Oliva Azanon, Xiomara Sahomy Ore Bendezu, Stephanie Maria Ortiz, Vanessa Ortiz, Faith Ortolano, Deborah Atinuke Osinowo, Kailah Stephanie Osorio, Christopher Jaiden Otero, Daniel Jacob Pagan, Maycol Alexander Pavon Salas, Pietro Guiseppe Pelle, Alexander Pena, Jaden Jose Pena, Kevin Tyler Ferreira Pennella, Derek Zaid Perdomo, Valeria De Jesus Perez Caguao, Jancarlos Carlos Perez Melenciano, Lessy Fabiola Perez Ramos, Tamariah Ealiyah Peterson, Elvira Christie Philippe, Eversle Menard Pierre, Valeria Isabel Pineda Vargas, Sebastian Daniel Ponce, Gabriel Pote, Dashiell Quinn Prescott, Jeremy Puente, Brianna Pullia, Cooper Thomas Strazza, Jheremy Mathias Suarez, Shane Sugg, Allen Sunny, Michael Christopher Swan, Kadin Tzi-Lung Syed, Calvin Louis Talbert, Melanie Elaine Tanner, Rowan De Haan Tanner, Nicholas Silvano Tavolacci, Alric Christopher Teape, Amirah Thellot, Emmanuel Then Rojas, Gibson Alexander Timal Carrera, Jonathan David Toro, Wenderlens Toussaint, Tavaris Darvon Tweedie, Bebe Lena Tyson Krieger, Alejandro Ubaldo, Lucas Urena, Maria Paz Usuga Ramirez, Joshua Valdez, Jasmin Elizabeth Valdovinos, Sofia Valdovinos, Maria Guadalupe Valencia Oceguera, Cheyanne Felina Valencia, Allisson Valladares, Melanie Nicole Vaquiz, Heydi Marieth Velasquez Pineda, Andres Tomas Velasquez, Jalen Victor, Kayla Lorene Villafranca, Juliana Rosio Villanueva, Sevyn Madison Waterhouse, Samantha Topper Wehrle, Noah Thomas Welte, Alyssa Christina Williams, Jacari Messiah Williams, Jacob Daniel Winley, Oleksandr Ivanovych Yatsyk, John Steve Yupangui, Carmen Maria Zavala

Center for Global Studies Class of 2026:

Theo Rose Alberino, Isayli Anabileth Alvarado Canales, Natalie Andruchow, Mia Liana Argudo, Vivian Rose Balazs, Andre Alejandro Benalcazar Arvelo, Leonardo Antonio Blanco, Elizabeth Faith Brubaker, Alexandra Bruno, Trinity Sophie Cannon, Alejandro Cardenas, Aleena Maris Castillo, Anastasia Chang Rodriguez, Garryn Constant, Sarah Nicole Coyt, Finnuala River Cronin, Mia Futaba DeJaeger, Camila Diaz, Jasmin Daniela Diaz, Jhoanna Diaz, Malekah Emad Eldigwy, Camila Sofia Fernandez, Gabriella Frabrizio, Alexander Clement Francois, Angelica Maria Gonzalez, Kidus Haileselassie, Owen Bryden Hayden, Riley Sincere Houston, Rebecca Lynn Hurwitz, Angely Mari Ilama, Jaya Isabell Iyer, Diya Shihab Kavungathodika, Jessica Saige Kish, Jaiden Kaye Kravar, Dasha Kurbanova-Martin, Julian Jack Landauer, Olivia Suri Lee, Benjamin William Legum, Jacob Alexander Legum, Jackson James Love, Mathilda Hath Malcarney, Hailey Marie Maldonado, Yulia Martinez-Peralta, Sophia Menes, Tristan Meyer-Mitchell, Maurice T.J. Montgomery, Njeri Lily Morgan, Najwa Sahar Harrison Muhammad, Augusta Pilar Nelson, Connor Harrison Oatis, Ashley Nicoe Osorto, Dylan Lockwood Payne, Daniella Lizet Pineda, Liza Louise Powell, Sanjana Rao, Yaxiara Marie Reyes, Nikeila Johana Ruiz, Nala Jamila Salahuddin, William Jeremy Field Scott, Krish Amit Shah, Gavin Cole-Edward Sieling, Aliarah Benazir Target, Rodrigo Torres, Nicolas Viera, Anora Margrethe Voss, Aleah Denise Watson, Sophia Valentina Yepez, Kacper Zaniewski